Written Answers Nos. 312-331
312. Deputy Maurice Quinlivan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the plans he has to increase Cuan funding to the Rape Crisis Centre Midwest, appreciating that the organisation currently has a waiting list of 80 people who are awaiting counselling services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8935/26]
View answerCombatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) and ensuring that victims and survivors have access to the care and support they deserve remain absolute priorities for me and for this government. Making sure our front-line services are properly funded is key to achieving these aims. This Government has taken unprecedented action in this regard by:
• Increasing funding to almost €80 million under Budget 2026 to support Cuan and services working to tackle DSGBV and the implementation of the Zero Tolerance Strategy. This represents an increase of €12 million year on year.
• Launching the final implementation plan of the Third National ‘Zero Tolerance’ strategy, the most ambitious national DSGBV strategy to date, last June.
• Increasing funding for Cuan and for community organisations that support victims and survivors will accelerate the delivery of additional refuge spaces and safe accommodation while also providing stronger supports for victims.
As the Deputy's question relates to work under the remit of Cuan, I have forwarded it to the Agency for direct response, in relation to funding to the Rape Crisis Centre Midwest.
313. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the location of the proposed site for a service (details supplied). [8936/26]
View answerCombatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV), and ensuring that victims and survivors receive the support and care they need are absolute priorities for me and for this Government.
I am advised that plans are underway for the development of an eight-unit purpose-built refuge in County Roscommon and work is progressing on this. Cuan has established a local Stakeholder Group to lead and support the development of the accommodation. This group includes representation from Roscommon Safe Link, Roscommon County Council, Cuan, Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Housing Agency and Sonas. I am further advised that site feasibility is being completed on a potential site.
As this ongoing work falls under the remit of Cuan, I have also forwarded the Deputy's query to the Agency for direct response.
314. Deputy Emer Currie asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question No. 118 on 28 January 2026, if An Garda Síochána will explain what they mean when they say they have access to National Vehicle and Driver File data, including data that ‘indicates' whether a licence or permit has been surrendered upon disqualification; what it meant by ‘indicates; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8970/26]
View answerAs stated in my response to Question no 118 of 28 January, I have been advised by the Garda authorities that all members of An Garda Síochána, through their mobility devices, have access to National Vehicle and Driver File (NVDF) data. This includes full licence/learner permit details, particulars of disqualifications and current penalty points.
An Garda Síochána has confirmed that this data also shows whether a licence or permit has been surrendered upon disqualification.
315. Deputy Ryan O'Meara asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the rationale for requiring an individual to undergo repeated Garda vetting when changing employment within the same regulated sector, including the school transport sector; whether his Department has examined options to allow Garda vetting to attach to an individual for a defined period irrespective of employer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9004/26]
View answerThe primary purpose of vetting carried out by the Garda National Vetting Bureau (GNVB) is to ensure the safety of children and vulnerable adults. This requires a robust Garda vetting process that reassures the public, and in particular parents, that appropriate checks are conducted on people taking on positions of trust.
The Government is aware that concerns have been raised regarding certain aspects of the vetting process and I have listened carefully to the views of the sectors affected.
In this regard I'm conscious that aspects of the current vetting system result in a highly-segmented process. Furthermore, I believe that the vetting system should be updated to ensure that vetting is portable.
Further to the work carried out by the Garda Vetting Review Group, steps are now being taken to implement a number of key changes to the vetting process that will ensure it remains robust and effective while improving the service to customers.
In practice, and subject to a general requirement that vetting be renewed every three years, this will mean that when a person is vetted for the work they will be, or are likely to be, involved in as part of their employment or volunteering within identified risk categories, further vetting would not be required if the person were to move to another role within the same risk category.
These changes will require amending legislation and updated technical systems to support the revised approach and will make the process more efficient for volunteers and organisations, without compromising the essential safeguards that protect those in our care.
316. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide details including the make of all electric vehicles currently in use by An Garda Síochána, and the Garda Division and station from which each vehicle operates, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9009/26]
View answerThe Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business under Section 33 of the Policing, Security and Community Safety Act 2024, which includes the purchase and allocation of vehicles to the Garda fleet. As Minister I have no role in these independent functions.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the below tables provide the number of electric vehicles assigned as of 31 January 2026 by Division and a breakdown of these electric vehicles by make.
|
DIVISION |
NO. OF ELECTRIC VEHICLES |
|
DMR EAST |
3 |
|
DMR NORTH |
6 |
|
DMR NORTH CENTRAL |
9 |
|
DMR SOUTH |
6 |
|
DMR SOUTH CENTRAL |
26 |
|
DMR WEST |
11 |
|
KILDARE/CARLOW |
14 |
|
LAOIS/OFFALY |
8 |
|
MEATH/WESTMEATH |
20 |
|
WATERFORD/KILKENNY |
8 |
|
WEXFORD/WICKLOW |
24 |
|
DONEGAL |
10 |
|
GALWAY |
8 |
|
LOUTH/CAVAN/MONAGHAN |
18 |
|
MAYO/ROSCOMMON/LONGFORD |
22 |
|
SLIGO/LEITRIM |
11 |
|
CLARE/TIPPERARY |
6 |
|
CORK CITY |
10 |
|
CORK COUNTY |
15 |
|
KERRY |
7 |
|
LIMERICK |
14 |
|
NATIONAL/REGIONAL UNITS |
44 |
|
TOTAL |
300 |
|
MAKE |
TOTAL |
|
BMW MOTORCYCLE |
2 |
|
HYUNDAI |
67 |
|
KIA |
89 |
|
NISSAN |
2 |
|
SKODA |
111 |
|
VOLKSWAGEN |
29 |
|
TOTAL |
300 |
The purchase and allocation of vehicles by An Garda Síochána is made on the basis of identified operational demands, the availability of resources and is reviewed on a continual basis.
317. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide the number and location of all electric charging points in Garda stations, in tabular form; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9010/26]
View answerI have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the Garda authorities. Regrettably, this was not available in time and I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.
318. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to a statement of the Taoiseach in the Dáil on Wednesday, 28 January 2026 regarding the acquittal of four serving Gardaí and one retired Garda superintendent of perverting the course of justice, and the need for a review of the case, the form that review will take; who will conduct the review; and when the terms of reference will be published. [9028/26]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the Director of Public Prosecutions is independent under the Prosecution of Offences Act, 1974 and her decisions in relation to prosecutions are taken independently. Equally, the courts are independent under the Constitution. An Garda Síochána is operationally independent of the Government.
It is an important feature of our criminal justice system that all the key elements of the system, from investigators, to prosecutors to judges and juries, are independent of the Government in the exercise of their functions.
It is also important to recall that all persons accused of offences before the courts are innocent until proven guilty. That principle is at the heart of our criminal justice system. The fact that a case ends with an acquittal does not indicate a failure of the system. Instead, it goes to underscore that it is robust, fair and impartial.
In this particular case, the serving Gardaí and retired Garda superintendent were all acquitted and the serving members of An Garda Síochána involved in this case have had their suspensions lifted by the Garda Commissioner.
319. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the dates and attendees of all meetings between the assistant secretary of policing in his Department and the Garda Commissioner and/or either deputy Commissioners from 1 January 2025 to 29 January 2026, by date, in tabular form. [9032/26]
View answer320. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the dates and attendees of all meetings between either of his two advisors in his Department and the Garda Commissioner and/or the deputy Commissioners from 1 January 2025 to 29 January 2026, by date, in tabular form. [9030/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 319 and 320 together.
Since the restructuring of my Department in 2019, there is no single post of Assistant Secretary General dealing with policing. The organisation is now structured on a functional basis and policing matters are dealt with by Assistant Secretaries General leading functions entitled criminal justice governance, criminal justice policy and criminal justice legislation.
My senior officials meet regularly with their Garda counterparts.
Two Governance meetings relating to An Garda Síochána took place in 2025, on 23 May and 21 November, attended by the Garda Commissioner and the Assistant Secretary General, Criminal Justice Governance function, amongst others.
The Assistant Secretary General in the Criminal Justice Legislation function attended two meetings with a Deputy Commissioner in respect of legislative matters. These meetings took place on 12 March and 29 October.
The Criminal Justice Strategic Committee met quarterly during the year attended by one or more of the Assistant Secretaries referred to above, among others. These meetings took place on 6 March,12 June, 11 September and 11 December.
Further, my advisors have attended meetings, where the Garda Commissioner or a Deputy Commissioner were present, on the following dates:
6 March – Quarterly Commissioner Meeting
5 June - Quarterly Commissioner Meeting
1 September - Meeting with Commissioner
29 September - Quarterly Policing Meeting with Commissioner
23 October – Meeting with Commissioner
21 November - Meeting with Commissioner
1 December - Quarterly Policing Meeting with Commissioner
18 December - Capital Oversight
321. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the plans to extend the accommodation recognition payment beyond 31 March 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9046/26]
View answerThe Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) was introduced to recognise the generosity of people who have opened their homes to provide accommodation to temporary protection beneficiaries from Ukraine. The scheme is provided for in Part 2 of the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022 and is administered by the Department of Social Protection on my behalf.
The scheme has been successful in accommodating almost 63,500 temporary protection beneficiaries outside of State-contracted accommodation since it commenced in 2022. Some 42,000 people are currently living in almost 23,500 hosted accommodations with the support of the scheme.
The ARP scheme is currently in place until 31 March 2026 but may be extended by Ministerial Order in accordance with the governing legislation. It is my intention to seek Oireachtas approval to extend the scheme for a further year to 31 March 2027 to align with the timeframe for the Temporary Protection Directive and to allow for an orderly wind-down of the scheme in advance of the end of the application of that EU Directive to the war in Ukraine.
Section 4(2) of the Act of 2022 enables me to make such a change, following consultation with the Minister for Social Protection and the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation. I can confirm that I have commenced those consultations.
The Act of 2022 also requires, where such an order is proposed to be made, that a draft of the order be laid before each House of the Oireachtas and that the order shall not be made until a resolution approving the draft has been passed by each House of the Oireachtas. I intend to complete the required statutory processes before the current scheme termination date of 31 March.
322. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration further to Parliamentary Question No. 571 of 18 December 2025, and Parliamentary Question 114 of 14 January 2026, if the information requested regarding the number of crimes recorded where the suspected offenders were on bail, by county and category of offence, in 2025, in tabular form is now available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9047/26]
View answerAs I have previously stated, it is totally unacceptable that offences are committed by people on bail. That is a direct breach of their promise made when bail is granted by the court.
While bail laws in Ireland are comprehensive, I am committed to ensuring they are fit for purpose while ensuring fundamental rights principles are adhered to. Last year, I appointed a Senior Counsel, Lorcan Stains, to undertake an assessment of the current operation of bail in Ireland, both legal and practical.
Mr Staines’ report ‘An Assessment of the Efficacy of Bail Laws in Ireland’ was published by my Department in November 2025. This examination of our bail laws and subsequent proposals underlines the need for additional actions to be taken to ensure the criminal justice system effectively mitigates against risks that may be associated with individuals on bail.
A number of the recommendations are under active consideration or in progress by my Department. It is proposed that a further Memorandum for the Government will be brought on any further implementation of the recommendations in due course.
The information sought by the Deputy has now been received from An Garda Síochána. The attached is a count, by incident category and then by region and division, of crime incidents reported during 2025 (up to 16 December) which were identified as committed by persons on bail.
The following is a count, by incident category and then by region and division of crime incidents reported during 2025 to 16 December identified as committed by persons on bail.
Crime counting rules have been applied and counts below 10 have been redacted. It is important to note that suspected offenders may be responsible for more than one incident.
Table 1: Pulse Incident Category and Incidents Committed on Bail
|
Pulse Incident Category |
Incidents Committed on Bail |
|
Animals* |
14 |
|
Assault |
1,232 |
|
Burglary |
941 |
|
Child Welfare/Tusla Notifications |
< 10 |
|
Civil Orders |
< 10 |
|
Court Related Offences/Bail |
5,377 |
|
Criminal Damage |
1,440 |
|
Domestic |
1,514 |
|
Drivers Under The Influence |
548 |
|
Drugs |
3,582 |
|
Environmental Crime |
< 10 |
|
Escape/Prison |
81 |
|
Explosives |
< 10 |
|
Firearms |
819 |
|
Fraud/Economic Crime |
155 |
|
Gaming/Betting |
< 10 |
|
Harmful Communication |
23 |
|
Homicide* |
84 |
|
Immigration |
27 |
|
Miscellaneous |
< 10 |
|
Passport Offences |
< 10 |
|
Public Order Offences |
9,789 |
|
Robbery |
213 |
|
Sexual Offences |
56 |
|
Street Trading |
< 10 |
|
Theft |
10,104 |
|
Traffic |
2,198 |
|
Wildlife Crime |
< 10 |
|
Total |
38,221 |
*The available PULSE incident types within the categories of ‘Animals’ and ‘Homicide’ are:
Animals – Breeding Offences, Control/Wandering/Straying, Cruelty/Neglect, Endangerment by Animal, Licence/Identification
Homicide – Manslaughter, Murder, Murder-Attempt, Murder-Threats to Kill or Cause Serious Harm, Threats to Persons
Table 2: Region/Division and Incidents Committed on Bail
|
Region/Division |
Incidents Committed on Bail |
|
Dublin Region |
22,130 |
|
D.M.R. Eastern |
1,217 |
|
D.M.R. North Central |
9,023 |
|
D.M.R. Northern |
2,534 |
|
D.M.R. South Central |
4,512 |
|
D.M.R. Southern |
2,087 |
|
D.M.R. Western |
2,757 |
|
Eastern Region |
6,379 |
|
Kildare/Carlow |
1,361 |
|
Laois/Offaly |
849 |
|
Meath/Westmeath |
1,526 |
|
Waterford/Kilkenny |
1,388 |
|
Wexford/Wicklow |
1,255 |
|
North Western Region |
4,435 |
|
Donegal |
526 |
|
Galway Div |
1,168 |
|
Louth/Cavan/Monaghan |
1,904 |
|
Mayo/Roscommon/Longford |
524 |
|
Sligo/Leitrim |
313 |
|
Southern Region |
5,277 |
|
Clare/Tipperary |
900 |
|
Cork City |
1,852 |
|
Cork County |
589 |
|
Kerry |
707 |
|
Limerick |
1,229 |
|
Total |
38,221 |
323. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of vulnerability assessments (defined by regulation 8 of the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018) conducted; and the number of those assessments which resulted in a determination of vulnerability, in 2024 and 2025. [9076/26]
View answerIn accordance with [S.I. No. 230/2018 - European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018 ], the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) is obliged to assess whether a recipient has special reception needs, and if so, the nature of those needs.
The regulations define a relatively broad set of categories of vulnerability. They include any person who is a minor, an unaccompanied minor, a person with a disability, an elderly person, a pregnant woman, any single parent of a minor, a victim of human trafficking, a person with a serious illness or medical condition, a person with a mental disorder, and a person who has been subjected to torture, rape or other form of serious psychological, physical or sexual violence. In addition to these categories, IPAS gives consideration to persons who are LGBTQ+.
A Vulnerability Assessment Programme (which is voluntary) is in place to assess special reception needs. Where a vulnerability is identified, the person is signposted to relevant services and information is also used by IPAS to appropriately accommodate people. It is important to note that the majority of vulnerabilities can be addressed in all IPAS accommodation.
The Vulnerability Assessment Programme was paused during 2024 due to very significant increases in application numbers that had been seen from 2022 onward. The programme recommenced in November 2024, when family applicants were offered assessments, and from June 2025, the programme was expanded further to include all family and single female applicants. A breakdown of vulnerability assessments in (November and December) 2024 and 2025 is outlined below:
|
Year |
Total |
Total with no vulnerability |
Total with vulnerability |
Assessments with children |
No. of children with no co-vulnerability (apart from being a minor) |
|
2024 (Nov & Dec) |
673 |
95 |
578 |
343 |
254 |
|
2025 |
4537 |
489 |
4048 |
1655 |
1291 |
324. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of international protection applicants not offered accommodation on arrival in each month in 2025 and to date in 2026; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9077/26]
View answer325. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the total occupancy of IPAS accommodation compared to the total capacity. [9078/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 324 and 325 together.
The unprecedented increase in applications for asylum from 2022 to 2024 placed intense pressure on the accommodation system. It also gave rise to an undesirable situation where the State became increasingly dependent on private providers of accommodation.
Total IPAS resident numbers have been steady since the end of 2024, at around 33,000, but individual people and family groups are moving into, and out of, IPAS accommodation every week.
It is a very dynamic system, with more than 1,000 new applications every month, and on average 500 people moving into, out of, and around the accommodation system on a weekly basis.
Entrances to and exits from the IPAS accommodation system are restricted due to pressure on suitable capacity for new arrivals, particularly single male applicants, and due to people who have completed their application process finding it hard to source accommodation outside the IPAS system.
In 2026, the IPAS system is working toward a goal of having 15% of beds available at any given time. This is a European Union good practice measure, to ensure efficient operations and allow for the daily and weekly movement of new and existing residents, and forward planning.
This model is similar to accommodation models in other countries, and in sectors like healthcare and hospitality, where accommodation requires daily management. IPAS will continue working towards the goal of 15% available capacity over the coming year.
The table below outlines the available bed capacity within the IPAS system over 311 centres.
Table 1: The available bed capacity within the IPAS system over 311 centres, as at 4 January 2026
|
Available capacity |
35,775 |
|
Current Residents |
33,184 |
|
Single male beds available |
248 |
|
Mixed accommodation beds available |
2,000 |
|
Family only beds available |
343 |
|
Total available beds (04/02/2026) |
2,591 |
Single male applicants for international protection have been particularly affected by shortages of accommodation since 2022. At this time, not all single male applicants can be offered accommodation at the point of application.
At a point, over 3,500 people in this group were awaiting an offer of accommodation. Through an ongoing programme since March 2025, this has steadily reduced to 453 people currently awaiting an offer.
The table below outlines details of people who IPAS were not able to accommodate on application. It is important to note that offers of accommodation are made retrospectively to people in this group, when accommodation capacity permits. Single male accommodation is in shortest supply, with only 248 contingency beds available as outlined above in Table 1.
Table 2: The number of people not accommodated on arrival, monthly from January 2025 to January 2026, as at 29 January 2026
|
January 2025 |
341 |
|
February 2025 |
361 |
|
March 2025 |
295 |
|
April 2025 |
396 |
|
May 2025 |
289 |
|
June 2025 |
297 |
|
July 2025 |
340 |
|
August 2025 |
297 |
|
September 2025 |
405 |
|
October 2025 |
412 |
|
November 2025 |
406 |
|
December 2025 |
387 |
|
January 2026 |
392 |
My Department continues to manage this very limited supply, ensuring that the contingency beds above are kept available for daily arrivals, people with health or other vulnerabilities, and this is kept under continual active review to maximise best use of limited capacity.
Across the whole IPAS system, many beds are preassigned or out of use on a daily basis for essential reasons including pre-assignments for referrals from daily homeless outreach, beds designated dispersal centres, or for residents due to move from centres that are closing. Beds may be out of use within the system for a range of reasons including infection control, renovation or family room configurations.
My Department works at all times to ensure the limited accommodation capacity is used in the best and most effective way, prioritising those people who are most vulnerable or those with families.
326. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will meet with a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9079/26]
View answerTackling domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) in all its forms remains an absolute priority for both myself and this Government. We are working to build a society in which everyone, particularly women and vulnerable people, feel safe and are safe in their homes and communities.
Last year, I appointed a Senior Counsel, Lorcan Staines, to undertake an assessment of the current operation of bail in Ireland, both legal and practical. Mr Staines’ report ‘An Assessment of the Efficacy of Bail Laws in Ireland’ was published by my Department in November 2025 and underlines the need for additional actions to be taken to ensure the criminal justice system effectively mitigates against risks that may be associated with certain individuals on bail.
In January, I published the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026, which amends the Bail Act 1997 to add the offences under sections 38 and 39 of the Domestic Violence Act 2018 concerning forced marriage and coercive control to the Schedule to the Act, as recommended in the Staines Report, which would allow a court to refuse bail to persons charged with either of the above offences where the court considers it necessary to prevent the person from committing a serious offence.
While bail laws in Ireland are comprehensive, I am committed to ensuring they are fit for purpose while also ensuring that fundamental rights principles are adhered to and any further useful amendments that are identified will be introduced as appropriate.
The person referred to in the Deputy's query has been in contact with my Department directly and I am advised that a response to their recent correspondence will be issued to them shortly.
327. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to layout the current process when a person on a professional register is convicted of a crime, for this information to be passed on to their professional register; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9081/26]
View answerUnder the Constitution, the administration of justice is a matter for the courts, who are completely independent in the exercise of their functions. Operational matters and logistical functions within the courts are supported by the Courts Service, a body that is also independent under the Courts Service Act 1998. As Minister I have no role in the outcome of any court proceedings.
I have been advised by the Courts Service that in the majority of criminal cases the Courts Service would not know the profession of the accused as it would not be included in the information provided by prosecutors as it is usually not relevant to the prosecution of the crime.
It is the responsibility of each professional register to maintain and update its own register. My Department has no role in that process.
328. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the statutory and operational responsibilities of CUAN; its role in policy development, funding allocation, data collection, and oversight of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence services; and the functions which remain the direct responsibility of his Department. [9088/26]
View answerCombatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) and ensuring that victims and survivors receive the support and care they need is an absolute priority for me.
Cuan, the domestic, sexual and gender based violence agency, was established in January 2024 to strengthen Ireland’s response to tackling domestic, sexual and gender based violence (DSGBV). My Department retains responsibility for policy, legislative development and, with some exceptions, the allocation of funding, and is committed to supporting and complementing Cuan’s work in responding to DSGBV.
Cuan’s functions are set out in section 6 of the Domestic, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Act 2023. They include planning, coordinating, and monitoring the delivery of refuge accommodation, providing financial support to service providers, developing national service standards and leading research and data collection to inform service development and strategy implementation. It also drives national awareness and prevention campaigns and coordinates the implementation of the Third National Strategy on DSGBV.
Cuan delivers these responsibilities through its five core operational functions: Service Delivery and Development, Strategic Engagement, Communications and Education, Research and Data, and Governance and Corporate Services, which collectively enable the agency to deliver on its statutory remit. Cuan also plays a central role in service coordination and collating data to inform service development and strategy.
329. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the body which is responsible for setting guidelines of best practice in relation to the appropriate length of stay in women's refuges and domestic violence accommodation; whether such guidelines currently exist; and if so, to provide details of those guidelines, including when they were introduced; the evidence base on which they rely; and whether they are binding on funded service providers. [9089/26]
View answer330. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of safe home units currently in operation nationally for victims of domestic violence; the number of such units that are available for immediate occupation; and the total capacity of the programme. [9090/26]
View answer331. Deputy Gary Gannon asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the number of safe home units currently funded or supported by Cuan for victims of domestic violence, by local authority area, or county. [9091/26]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 329, 330 and 331 together.
Combatting all forms of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence (DSGBV) and ensuring that victims and survivors receive the support and care they need is an absolute priority for me. Cuan, the statutory domestic, sexual and gender-based violence agency is committed to providing safe and accessible accommodation and support services for victims and survivors of DSGBV.
As the Deputy's questions relate to work being carried out under the remit of Cuan, I have referred them to the Agency for direct response.
